I did something radical last night. I turned my iPhone off.
I haven’t slept without my phone turned on and within easy reach since I got my first iPhone — in June 2007. I activate its “do not disturb” mode every night. But every time I wake up for a few minutes — or longer — I’m checking for notifications and messages and emails and whatever else I can find.
For almost 20 years, I’ve slept next to a small mobile computer that has ruled my life.
At 3:30 a.m. — Sunday night, Monday morning — I was trying to get to sleep and having little luck. I had been in bed for almost two hours. I had too much on my mind that I was going to do Monday. I kept thinking about the people who might call, the text messages I might have waiting and a dozen other things that could be waiting for me each time I woke up.
Suddenly, I rebelled against this electronic tether to the outside world. I didn’t want to think about it. I didn’t want to wonder what notifications might be waiting for me.
I hesitated. The idea of shutting it off felt wrong. But I finally reached over and slid the control to turn off the phone.
For the first time in years, I felt free. Just a little bit.
And then I slept peacefully.

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